Happy Fountain of Youth Day! 

While the forecast calls for sun in South Florida this weekend, there are dark clouds gathering over the future of Gulfstream. Legislation is now pending the Florida State House at the request of Gulfstream ownership that would eliminate the need to have horse racing in order to operate the casino at Gulfstream Park. Florida horsemen stand in opposition to this “decoupling” bill as they see it as a step towards ending racing at Gulfstream. Further, the owner of Gulfstream made some eye catching comments during an interview on Pegasus Day when she questioned if Gulfstream was appropriate as a racing venue given its setting in a high density urban area. None of his bodes well.  

A future without Gulfstream would leave no thoroughbred tracks in South Florida with only Tampa Bay Downs operating in the Sunshine State. Tampa is a nice and the turf course is great, but can it ramp up to become a top tier track that could host the 30 graded stakes currently run at Gulfstream? Not likely. Also, Oldsmar (Tampa’s site) has never been mistaken for South Beach. 

A friend (Chuck from Saratoga) made a suggestion that is worth exploring if the worst were to occur at Gulfstream. His suggestion – reopen Hialeah Park to thoroughbred racing. It currently operates as a casino.  The name “Hialeah” is magic, it was called the “Grande Dame of Racing” for a reason. When you say Hialeah, you can see the flamingos in the infield pond (the flock is still there), the tropical décor, and the beautiful grounds. The facility is on the National Register of Historic Places – that’s how special it is. The barns would have to be rebuilt but the grandstand is intact. Hmmm…maybe the horizon isn’t so dark after all. 

Trivia question: When did Gulfstream Park open? 

Gulfstream Park Race 8 – The Davona Dale – Grade II 

One Mile on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies  

1. The Queens M G: Winner of last year’s Schuylerville and Adirondack hasn’t won since but was decent in the Forward Gal last month (75 Beyer) in her first start as a three year old. Her best Beyer was at the flat mile.  Look for Irad to try and get an inside out trip with speed drawn to her outside. Gets a slice.
2. Frida: In two starts this year she broke her maiden sprinting against state breds and last time she was up on the pace but faded in the Forward Gal Stakes. Now she must go an additional furlong versus some tough ones. Passing.
3. My Denysse: Was up the track in the Forward Gal and was no factor (62 Beyer). Would need a big move forward. Will need a significant improvement to contend. Water is too deep.
4. La Cara: Nice Street Sense filly disappointed in the BC Juvenile Filly off a win in Pocahontas at Churchill. Came back as three year old and impressed in the Suncoast at Tampa Bay where she went to the front and drew off (84 Beyer). Dylan Davis stays aboard. The Pick.
5. Madeline’s Promise: Beat maiden claimers last out (70 Beyer) after failing to get top prize against MSW fields on four occasions. Now moves to open stakes company for Dale Romans. Lasix comes OFF. Know her early.
6. Ballerina d’Oro: Was a strong second in the Demoiselle three months ago in her first dirt start (87 Beyer).  Dylan Davis picks La Cara over this Chad Brown trainee.  Late runner will look to pick up the pieces. Was working weekly but she missed a workout two weeks ago. Distance is not a concern as she got nine furlongs at the Big A last year. Live runner.
7. Quinn’s Promise: Second Dale Romans entry was in position in her most recent but she didn’t show much in the stretch. She now turns back to the flat mile.  Lasix comes OFF. Beyer top is 70 from seven starts.  Bottom side of exotics.

Picks 4-1-6-7 

Gulfstream Park Race 13 – The Fountain of Youth – Grade II 

One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt for Three Year Olds  

1. Gate To Wire: Won the Swale last month (93 Beyer) in his first dirt start as he stalked a hot pace. They have been sprinting this one up until now so today he goes two turns for the first time. Nice Beyer last time but that was a very good setup. Possible at a price.
2. Sovereignty: Runs here off a four month layoff after a win in the Street Sense going eight and half furlongs at Churchill when came running in the lane. Mott off this type of layoff has a strong 21% win rate. Tough to win at that first finish line when coming off the pace. Gets a piece.
3. Burnham Square: Gelding earned a 90 Beyer with a very strong performance in the Holy Bull as he swept by the field turning for home and ran down the leader. Rallying from the back is not a typical winning move at Gulfstream when using the first finish line – but he did it last time. Has increased his Beyer in all four starts. Win candidate.
4. McKellen: McKinzie colt finished behind Lecomte winner Disco Time last Fall but had no excuse in the Much Macho Man where he stalked a soft pace and was done after six furlongs.  Was given a month off after that effort and only has three works coming into this having missed a work two weeks ago. Given that he was short the last time that’s a worrying setup. Pass.
5. Solid Left: SCRATCHED. Ran Thursday in a nine furlong allowance race at Gulfstream where he was an OK fifth after running evenly in the lane.
6. River Thames:  Pletcher trainee is two for two including a dominate win against N1X company (92 Beyer) on Holy Bull Day where this New York bred drew away in the stretch. Had a similar performance when breaking his maiden in his debut in January. Johnny V. stays up. Should be up close to the pace. Lasix comes OFF. The Pick.
7. Neoequos: Won like a 1/5 shot should last time as he took them the whole way sprinting over a sloppy Gulfstream main track where he beat state bred allowance field last time (82 Beyer). Now it’s open stakes company. Saffie Joseph does attract Irad Ortiz to take the mount. Finished in the exacta in his four most recent starts. Can he get the distance? Lasix comes OFF. Passing.
8. Keep It Easy: First time going a route of ground after sprinting as a two year old. Won the black type Ed Brown Stakes (87 Beyer) at Churchill in November going six and a half. Dale Romans has been going well early this year but he is 0 for his last 47 starters in three year old stakes races. Longer distance should suit given the breeding. Looking elsewhere.

Picks 6-3-2-1 

Late Pick 5 R10:1,4,5,8 R11:1 R12:1,4,8 R13:2,3,6 R14:4,5,8  Ticket Cost $54 

Trivia Answer:  Gulfstream first opened in February 1939 for a four day meet.